The Tribune

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The proliferation of web shop locations remains the industry's most pressing challenge, a senior operator telling Tribune Business he did not agree with how the former administration handled the issue.

Craig Flowers, founder of the FML Group of Companies, said: "I personally don't agree with how the former administration has dealt with the entire package - from the referendum going forward. The whole thing was concerning to me but it is what it is. If the new administration calls me in and would like to hear my opinion on what I think needs to be addressed, and the way forward, I would have no problem with that."

Mr Flower, who says he has stepped back from day-to-day operations, has long argued that the permitted number of web shop locations - and locations per operator - plus zoning enforcement need to be addressed.

Nine companies applied for gaming house licenses when the Government began the process to legalise, regulate and tax the sector. Eight applicants were subsequently provided with provisional licenses, with Bet Vegas the only operator to have been denied. Bet Vegas has since mounted a legal challenge to that decision via Judicial Review.

Island Luck, Nassau Games, Percy's Island Games, A Sure Win, Chances, Paradise Games, Bahama Dreams and Asue Draw were all awarded licenses. However, Asue Draw + Spin later announced it would not renew its gaming house operator license for 2016-2017, and exited from the industry.

"I think that the most pressing issue is the proliferation of stores," Mr Flowers said. "It has nothing to do with licenses. If one licensee has a million stores, the impact on the country remains the same.

"The Government has a mandate to make decisions in the best interest of the people, and what impacts people is the amount of stores, the amount of outlets, not the amount of licenses. I don't understand why there is a concern over the well-being of the industry if there is no governing of its expansion," said Mr Flowers.

The Christie administration decided to limit the number of gaming house operator licenses to eight until 2027.